Opposition meeting in Patna highlights: 'Drama troupe gathering'- Anurag Thakur

Anurag Thakur took to Twitter and said, “Before the 2024 elections, once again the stage is being set, the drama troupe is gathering, the characters are being decided…but Modi will take oath as PM for third time.”

After the Opposition party meeting concluded in Patna, Union minister Smriti Irani held a press conference, terming the alliance ‘selfish’ and 'unholy'.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin said Friday that the Opposition parties' gathering in Patna did not reach a consensus on nominating a unified candidate for the position of Prime Minister but they established a resolution to unite all democratic forces to defeat the BJP in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha election.

Union minister Smriti Irani slammed the union of the 15 non BJP parties, which she termed an “unholy” alliance that will only bring “political unhoni (untoward)” for the country.

At a presser held after the Opposition meeting in Patna, several leaders including Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, and others lashed out at the BJP.

BJP on Opposition unity efforts reacted Friday and labelled it a “selfish alliance” that is multi-headed and talks in different voices.

Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee-"Many CMs, ex-CMs were present…the meeting was well organised…We held many meetings in Delhi but didn't get any fruitful result. So, I suggested that we should meet at Patna…We are united…but don't call us Opposition….we are also patriotic, if Manipur burns, we feel pain…BJP is doing atrocity on Opposition governments in the non-BJP states by making the Raj Bhavan(governor) as an alternative government….Anyone who dissents, faces ED, CBI raids…they file cases but don't talk about unemployment, or economy, or speak about fund crunch for central schemes….If BJP wins again, Indian will be destroyed….BJP wants the history to be changed but we want the history to be saved…"

Former Bihar CM and and Rashtriya Janata Dal president Lalu Prasad- “After many days, I am meeting you….we will discuss the future road map in Shimla meeting…The people used to say that the opposition remains divided and votes get divided….The BJP used to fight in the name of Hanuman. Now Hanuman ji is with us…Rahul Gandhi did very good job in Bharat Jodo Yatra and spoke well in Lok Sabha on Adani.”

Former Jammu and Kashmir CM Mehbooba Mufti said Friday after the Opposition meeting in Patna, “The way our democracy, our constitution is attacked, it started in Jammu and Kashmir…We will not allow Gandhi's country to turn into Godse's country.”

Akhilesh Yadav said Friday after the Opposition meeting, “we will work together to save the country and how to take it forward.”

Uddhav Thackeray on Friday said “we will stand against the tyrants” referring to the BJP after the conclusion of the Opposition meet in Patna.

Mamata Banerjee lashed out at BJP in post meet presser following the big Opposition meeting, "Don't call us opposition. We are also patriotic, if Manipur burns, we feel pain….BJP's atrocity, making rajbhavan as an alternative govt. Anyone dissents, faces ED, CBI…"

Rahul Gandhi in post-meet presser said, “We will work together with flexibility" and added that the opposition unity is a process and it will move deeper.

"BJP is not working in country's interest…History will be changed," said Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, while Rahul Gandhi alleged the BJP is targetting country's foundation.

"Leaders of several parties attended, views were put forth by all," Bihar CM Nitish Kumar terms Patna meet ‘good’.

The next Opposition meeting will be held in Shimla on July 10-12 in which a decision on seat sharing will be taken, said Bihar CM Nitish Kumar.

The Aam Aadmi Party has decided to skip the press conference that will shortly happen, following the conclusion of the Opposition meeting in Patna.

Congress president Kharge said Friday that the Ordinance issue can be discussed when parliament meets for the monsoon session. “Why should we discuss here,” he replied on AAP's demand seeking Congress' support for Delhi ordinance row.

Nadda reminded how Nitish Kumar and Lalu Yadav were jailed during Indira Gandhi's administration.

UBT MP Priyanka Chaturvedi Friday responded to JP Nadda's criticism of Uddhav Thackeray over attending Opposition meeting in Patna. “The BJP President is speaking in Odisha and instead of speaking about the state is busy attacking Uddhav Saheb Thackeray! They clearly can’t stop thinking of the massive loss facing them in Maharashtra. ‘Ye darr acha hai',” she tweeted.

Congress party is expected to pitch key themes such as Kashmir to Kanyakumari Bharat Jodo Yatra as possible common causes for a unified opposition.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday dubbed as a "photo session" the meeting of opposition leaders in Patna, and said their unity is "nearly impossible".

JP Nadda on Friday reacted to the big Opposition meet happening in Patna, Bihar and said, "Rahul Gandhi's grandmother had put Lalu Yadav in jail. Indira Gandhi had put Nitish Kumar in jail for the whole 20 months. Welcoming Rahul on the land of Patna today, when I see his pictures, I what can happen in politics…"

AAP had earlier gave an ultimatum that it will stage a walkout from the Opposition leaders' meeting if the Congress does not promise its support over the issue.

AAP spokesperson claimed to have received information on Rahul Gandhi-BJP agreement from ‘reliable sources’.